Lab Team
Jennifer Hughes, PhD, MPH
Clinical Psychologist & Principal Investigator
Jennifer.Hughes@nationwidechildrens.org
Jennifer Hughes, PhD, MPH, is a principal investigator in the Center for Suicide and Prevention Research (CSPR). She is also a psychologist in Behavioral Health at Nationwide Children’s, and associate professor in the department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, College of Medicine and the Division of health Behavior and Health Promotion at The Ohio State University. Dr. Hughes is a multi-principal investigator on two National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) ASPIRES research projects: Stepped Approach to Reducing Risk of Suicide in Primary Care (STARRS-PC) and Intensive Crisis Intervention (ICI). Dr. Hughes is the first Joe and Linda Chlapaty Endowed Scholar at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Hughes received her PhD from UT Southwestern Medical Center and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. She is a co-developer of two evidence-based treatments, one for relapse prevention of depression in children and adolescents, and one utilizing family-based CBT for suicidal youth and their parents (SAFETY). Dr. Hughes has held leadership roles in multiple professional societies and organizations, including the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Depression Special Interest Group and the American Psychological Association Society for Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology.
Alanis De La Cruz Pérez, PhD
Postdoctoral Scientist
Alanis.DeLaCruzPerez@nationwidechildrens.org
Alanis Tamara De La Cruz Pérez, PhD, is a postdoctoral scientist in the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Her research interests include but are not limited to school-based mental health, with a particular emphasis on suicide prevention, as well as the intersection of race, culture and mental health, particularly within Afrolatinx (Black & Latinx) youth. Dr. De La Cruz Pérez earned her PhD in school psychology from The Ohio State University, where she also completed a certificate in Anti-Racism in Education. She holds a Master of Arts in school psychology from The Ohio State and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras Campus, with minors in gender studies and human rights. Her training in school psychology includes skills in culturally responsive assessment, consultation and intervention, which inform both her research and applied work.
Stacie Berg, MEd, LPCC-S
Clinical Research Coordinator Team Lead
Stacie.Berg@nationwidechildrens.org
Stacie is the clinical research coordinator team lead for the Hughes Team. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Kent State University. Stacie is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with eight years of experience in providing therapy for youth experiencing acute psychiatric concerns across multiple hospital and outpatient settings. Her research interests include improving treatments for youth experiencing suicidal crisis, bridging the gap between research and clinical practice, and the promotion of health equity.
Leo Kalotihos, BA
Clinical Research Coordinator
Leo.Kalotihos@nationwidechildrens.org
Leo is a clinical research coordinator for the Hughes Team in the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research. He received his bachelor's degree from Sarah Lawrence College in 2024, where he studied psychology and neuroscience. His research interests center around developing novel treatments for youth suicide and self-harm, as well as the identification, evolution and interaction of risk and protective factors in underrepresented populations. Leo is also passionate about the application and validation of theoretical models of suicide.
Marina Stayner, BS
Clinical Research Coordinator
Marina.Stayner@nationwidechildrens.org
Marina is a clinical research coordinator for the Hughes Team. She graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in human development and family science and a minor in disability studies. She began her career with Nationwide Children's Hospital in 2020, with previous experience in patient access and Behavioral Health operations. Her primary research interests include protective factors for suicidal youth and improving access to mental health care.
Cara Bodary, BA
Research Assistant
Caroline.Bodary@nationwidechildrens.org
Cara is a research assistant with the Hughes Team, currently working on the Exploratory Project 2 – Intensive Crisis Intervention study. She is passionate about better understanding the precipitating factors of suicide and effective methods of bolstering emotional regulation. Cara received her bachelor’s degree in 2024 from Denison University in psychology and she served as a research assistant in Denison’s Psychology Department.
Jacob Holycross, MPH
Clinical Research Coordinator
Jacob.Holycross@nationwidechildrens.org
Jacob joined the Hughes Team in September 2025 as a clinical research coordinator. He previously worked at Nationwide Children's in the Center for Injury Research & Policy and the Psychiatric Crisis Department. Jacob is passionate about health equity, social justice, mental health and injury prevention. He received his bachelor's from The Ohio State University and master's from George Washington University.
Ellie Nienaber, BA
Clinical Research Coordinator
Ellie.Nienaber2@nationwidechildrens.org
Ellie is a clinical research coordinator for the Hughes Team. She graduated from The Ohio State University in 2025 with a bachelor's in psychology and minors in neuroscience and human development/family sciences. Ellie is passionate about community engagement and peer empowerment, particularly among children and adolescents. Her research interests include understanding interdisciplinary risk and resilience factors, promoting health equity and evidence-based assessment.
Halle Deericks, BA
Clinical Research Coordinator
Halle.Deericks@nationwidechildrens.org
Halle is a clinical research coordinator with the Hughes Team. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Case Western Reserve University in 2025, where she contributed to the PTSD Research and Treatment Program as a research assistant. Her research interests include identifying risk factors for mental health challenges among children and adolescents, the role of sleep disturbances in psychopathology and the implementation of trauma-informed approaches to care.
Evan Wilkerson, MSW, LISW, RYT-200
Teenthrive Study Yoga Instructor
Evan.Wilkerson@nationwidechildrens.org
Evan is a yoga instructor working on the Teenthrive 2 study with the Hughes Team. He earned his bachelor’s degree in strategic communication and master’s degree in social work from The Ohio State University. A licensed independent social worker and certified yoga and meditation teacher, Evan has advanced training in EMDR, iRest Yoga Nidra and mindfulness-based emotional resilience. Evan supports research studies that explore the integration of trauma-informed yoga and mind–body practices into clinical care for youth and families. His clinical experience includes working with trauma, anxiety, depression, substance use and LGBTQ+ affirming care.